Four Bottles That Have Blown Me Away Lately
by Tom Wolf
© Nicolas Maillart
Nicolas Maillart
© Jimmy Hayes
Valentin Montanet
© Jimmy Hayes
The Garrone family
© Joanie Bonfiglio
© Cantine Garrone
Jean Boxler
© Jimmy Hayes
A beautiful side effect of watching someone like Steph Curry put on a dazzling performance is that it heightens your senses to all of the other elements of the game, too, and a sensational wine can do the same thing. It reawakens your palate and your appetite to try new things or revisit old loves with a fresh perspective.
© Nicolas Maillart
Nicolas Maillart
© Jimmy Hayes
Valentin Montanet
© Jimmy Hayes
The Garrone family
© Joanie Bonfiglio
© Cantine Garrone
Jean Boxler
© Jimmy Hayes
A beautiful side effect of watching someone like Steph Curry put on a dazzling performance is that it heightens your senses to all of the other elements of the game, too, and a sensational wine can do the same thing. It reawakens your palate and your appetite to try new things or revisit old loves with a fresh perspective.
Four Bottles That Have Blown Me Away Lately
by Tom Wolf
Getting to taste our imports all the time is a little like how I imagine it feels to have season courtside tickets to the Warriors. You are unbelievably privileged to routinely behold world-class talent, and yet, no matter how impressive these NBA stars are, after thirty games, you probably take their level for granted a little bit. After half a season, it might take a transcendent Steph Curry performance to get you out of your seat and remind you how extraordinary this spectacle is.
This kind of off-your-seat display happens in wine every so often for me. I’ll pour a glass and take a sip so mesmerizing it sets off all kinds of fireworks. In recent weeks, for example, I opened a bottle of Jean Boxler’s Riesling grand cru “Sommerberg Vanne,” made from ancient vines, some of which date back a century. Chiseled, deep, and electric, with plenty of generous fruit and charm, it ended up being perfect for taco night. It’s endlessly versatile, though, and I can imagine it singing alongside pretty much anything—a trait that underscores why it’s one of the greatest white wines in all of France.
Another night, I revisited La Sœur Cadette’s Bourgogne rouge. Lithe, joyous, and high-toned, it’s the kind of Pinot Noir that makes you feel like you’re at a hip and dimly lit wine bar, even if you’re just in your living room after a long day.
From one of our newer growers, Cantine Garrone’s “Diecibrente” also proved a revelation. Made from Nebbiolo, referred to as Prünent in the Valli Ossolane of upper Piemonte, this red almost redefines the possibilities of Italy’s greatest red grape. Soaring with red fruit and blood orange, it’s unbelievably silky and graceful.
Finally, I celebrated my wedding anniversary with a bottle of Nicolas Maillart’s “Platine.” Blending Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a little bit of Pinot Meunier, this exquisite Champagne strikes a perfect balance between lush, bracing, and stony. Notes of tangerine and seaspray make it an ideal candidate to pair with oysters, scallops, or a roast chicken.
Wines In The Collection
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
His most delicate Riesling, offering ethereal scents of spring blossoms with the crystalline purity of morning dewdrops.
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
All you need to know is that this wine drinks like a Beaujolais with loads of black, sappy fruit and is ounce per ounce more pleasurable and delicious than anything you’d find in a collector’s stash.
Cantine Garrone Italy | Piedmont
Extraordinarily high-toned, silky, and graceful, this is the pinnacle of the family’s world-class Nebbioli.
Nicolas Maillart France | Champagne
A very pale rosé color from the high percentage of Pinot Noir, with a beautiful perfume of orange blossom and an incredibly soft mousse.
France | Alsace
His most delicate Riesling, offering ethereal scents of spring blossoms with the crystalline purity of morning dewdrops.
France | Burgundy
All you need to know is that this wine drinks like a Beaujolais with loads of black, sappy fruit and is ounce per ounce more pleasurable and delicious than anything you’d find in a collector’s stash.
Italy | Piedmont
Extraordinarily high-toned, silky, and graceful, this is the pinnacle of the family’s world-class Nebbioli.
France | Champagne
A very pale rosé color from the high percentage of Pinot Noir, with a beautiful perfume of orange blossom and an incredibly soft mousse.
More Collections
A Standout Trilogy from the Loire
The soils at Domaine de Reuilly rest on the prized Kimmeridgian limestone, a geological chain that runs through nearby Sancerre as well as Chablis and southern Champagne. This limestone is characterized by its high content of marine fossils dating back 150 million years and is known for producing exceptional wines across several appellations…
Nothing Taken Out
You have probably heard us applaud many of our vignerons for bottling unfiltered. Kermit even earned a reputation for importing wines that had not been subject to filtration, going so far as to request a special unfiltered bottling for the US from many producers following years of comparative tastings with domaines such as Tempier and Vieux Télégraphe…
Kermit’s Best Bargains
For five decades, Kermit has sought out France and Italy’s highest-quality selections at all price levels, so we can imbibe thoughtfully crafted wines without breaking the bank. Budget-friendly yet reliably delicious…
A Classic, Vibrant Vintage from Famille Savary
Certain wine estates are all about the story: centuries of family production, obscure heirloom grape varieties, perilous vertical vineyards, radical production methods... With Domaine Savary, forget the fluff and romantic backstory. Focus instead on what’s in your glass: delicious, vibrant, classic wines that place this among the most consistent, reliable Chablis to be found…
Arretxea in Irouléguy
Oh, how far Irouléguy, the hidden gem of French Basque country, has come! Once upon a time, not so long ago, a local joke went something like this: “How do you say vinegar in Basque? Irouléguy!” Vines covered hardly any ground, and you could count the growers on a single hand. Enter the Riouspeyrous family…
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.